What are the light patches appearing on my skin?

Fine, slightly scaly light or tan patches across the chest, back and shoulders, more visible after sun, are typically tinea versicolor, an overgrowth of normal skin yeast in heat and humidity. Antifungal washes and creams clear it, though color takes months to even out.

Completely white, smooth patches with no scale, often around eyes, mouth or hands, suggest vitiligo, which is a different condition deserving specialist input, best early.

Dry pale patches on children's cheeks are usually mild eczema, not fungus. When patches spread or resist a proper antifungal trial, a skin scrape settles the identity in minutes.